A Well-Rounded Pet

A happy pet has a happy owner. Here’s how to create the perfect balance in the life of your constant companion with these helpful tips.

By: Beth Newcomb
Date: 08/19/2008
Pet ownership can be a wonderful thing. Dogs, cats and a host of other creatures provide hours of enjoyment, an unlimited source of love and affection, companionship, and documented health benefits. But there’s a whole lot more to having a well-rounded pet than simply providing basic necessities like food, water and shelter.

“If there is one thing I could tell every dog owner, it would be to follow these simple rules,” offers Chuck Stella, owner of the Elite K911 Training Center. “Provide plenty of exercise, discipline, structure, and love and affection—in that order. If more pet owners followed these simple rules, there would be fewer animals in the pound.”

With a host of credentials behind his name relating to professional dog training, Chuck says he can teach just about any dog to learn to sit in five minutes—no matter what the age, breed or temperament. “The easiest part is to train the dog,” he smiles. “The harder part is training the family. Dogs have an inherent knowledge about what they’re supposed to do, but humans expect them to speak our language. What we need to do is learn the dog’s language.”

“Most people tolerate a bad behavior, but it’s important to remember that if it isn’t something you would let your child do, your dog shouldn’t be doing it either,” he stresses. “You want a well-rounded pet. Maybe your dog jumps up on people or chases squirrels. These are simple things to fix. Every dog needs training. They need discipline and direction. We tend to shower them with love, but we don’t teach them how to behave. Dogs are dogs—and all of them can be trained the same. ”

Classes with Chuck include every member of your dog’s “pack” so he can see how everyone interacts. The initial evaluation is just $90 and includes a complete training plan with a description of which behaviors need to be changed. Training often includes weekly visits to the training center for a period of about 10-12 weeks.
With exercise topping the list of must-dos for your dog, or any pet for that matter, enlisting the services of Angie Black and her team at Angie’s Pet Care is a natural. “Our goal is to create the same foundation for your pet that you do when you’re home,” she says. And while Chuck’s focus is on training dogs, Angie’s Pet Care offers in-home care for all pets—including exotics and special-needs pets. She also provides dog exercising that includes running, playing and walking—depending on age and health.

“It’s a dog’s right of birth to roam and walk,” she emphasizes. “Exercise reduces stress, anxiety, fear-biting, destructive behaviors and bad potty habits. If you’re at work all day, your dog isn’t getting what he needs. When we come in, we’re spending one-on-one time with him and he gets to do what he was created to do.”
“Every pet is unique, just like children,” Angie goes on to explain. “We create a routine that’s specifically designed around them.” After meeting with the pet’s family, Angie devises a plan to keep them engaged, happy and healthy. “A lot of our clients have special-needs pets who require injections or regular medication. This can be a challenge for working pet owners, or those who’d like to take an occasional trip. We offer five-day-a-week dog walks, overnight pet sitting and daytime care visits.” She’ll even scoop the poop if you want her to, and she always leaves detailed notes about her interaction with your animal.

Angie is a member of NAAPS and PSI and is certified in Pet First Aid and CPR. She’s even learned level one behavioral training from Chuck. “People depend on us so they can be away from their pet and not have to worry,” she expresses. “What we do is very personal and our clients have placed a tremendous amount of trust in us.”

Creating personal connections with animals of every kind is what Amanda Rose Sparico, LMT, CMT, HTP has been doing—almost since the time she was born. “One of my specialties is animal communication,” she warmly explains. “I don’t actually talk to them, but I’ve known for a long time that I had a special sense for what they’re feeling. People communicate with their pets every day. They know when their animal is sad or happy, glad that they’re home, or wants to take a walk. I can take that to the next level.”

Amanda Rose owns Amanda’s Healing Touch for Pets and she works hand-in-hand with Chuck and Angie. “In our relationships with individual pet owners, we can identify the need for one or more of the services we provide,” she says.

That’s why when Chuck comes in contact with an animal—through his work at a local shelter—that has suffered abuse, he calls Amanda to come in and calm the storm. “I’ve seen her take a dog that was basically used as a punching bag during dog fights and turn it around,” Chuck says. “Animals are intuitive and she was able to get that dog to trust again.”

As a licensed massage therapist, her focus is on animals. “Massage is an amazing way to engage a pet in socialization and improved trust,” she expresses. “It eases tension and can help a younger dog move through growth stages more easily.”

Massage is also beneficial to older animals that might be having difficulty with arthritis and the elimination of toxins. “It works wonders on show or sport dogs to help calm them down after an event,” she assures.
Amanda’s Healing Touch for Pets offers treatment for all kinds of animals including horses, exotic pets, birds, dogs, cats and more. “My services might start with healing touch and then a little communication to find out where your pet is hurting. I typically introduce massage with a veterinarian’s recommendation.”

Amanda Rose is also the person many owners call when it’s time for their pet to transition out of this life. “I’m often there for the owner as much as for the pet,” she shares.
No matter what the age or breed, you can spot a well-rounded pet a mile away.
It’s the one with the happy owner.


To find out more about how you can have a well-rounded pet, please contact:

Amanda’s Healing Touch
for Pets
Amanda Rose Sparico,
LMT, CMT, HTP
216-502-5138
www.AmandasHealingTouch
ForPets.com

Angie’s Pet Care
Angie Black
216-548-5551
www.AngiesPetCare.com

Elite K911 Training Center
Chuck Stella
31740 Cook Road
North Ridgeville
440-666-0749
www.EliteK911.com

While their services are offered on an individual basis, all three work with many of the same pet owners and regularly refer clients to each other.

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